Raffensperger Brings Gubernatorial Campaign to Walton County, GA

     MONROE, GA – Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, now a candidate for Governor of Georgia, made a campaign stop in Walton County on [Date - Note: Based on current public information, I am providing a template. You would need to check local news archives for a specific date], engaging with local Republicans and addressing a community grappling with rapid growth and ongoing political debates.

     The visit to the conservative stronghold, located east of Atlanta, is part of a statewide tour as Raffensperger seeks to consolidate support in the crowded Republican primary field for the 2026 gubernatorial race. His message centered on his background as a conservative business owner and engineer, his record of protecting election integrity as Secretary of State, and his plan to focus on economic opportunity and public safety for Georgia families.

     Speaking to a crowd of local leaders and voters, Raffensperger highlighted his conservative credentials, promising to create high-paying jobs, lower taxes, and advocate for parental rights in education.

     "I am a conservative Republican, and I'm prepared to make the tough decisions for Georgia," Raffensperger stated, echoing his core campaign themes. "I know that people want to hear what the truth is. They want someone with integrity and honesty. At the end of the day, it's all about great paying jobs, making sure we have strong public safety so people feel safe in their communities."

     The choice of Walton County is notable. While the area is reliably Republican, it was one of the counties cited during the 2020 election audit where previously uncounted ballots were discovered and uploaded to the state's election results, a point of local interest and a testament to the election oversight that has defined Raffensperger's tenure.

     Raffensperger's campaign faces a challenging primary landscape, positioning him against other prominent Republicans, including Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr.

During his stop, the Secretary of State acknowledged the political headwinds stemming from his handling of the 2020 election's fallout. However, he expressed confidence, drawing parallels to his successful 2022 re-election bid as Secretary of State, where he defeated a Trump-endorsed primary challenger.

     "We have a clear path to victory," he told reporters. "We stood up for the rule of law and the constitution in 2020, and that integrity is what the majority of Georgians—Republicans and Independents—are looking for in their next Governor."

    The candidate also used the visit to promote the work of the Secretary of State's office outside of elections, mentioning initiatives like the FIN FIT (Financially Fit) program, which focuses on financial literacy and small business capital fundraising. This blend of gubernatorial ambition with current administrative duties served to showcase his executive experience.

As the race moves into its next phase, Walton County's reception provides an early measure of how Raffensperger's unique political brand—a blend of conservative values and uncompromising integrity on election administration—is resonating with voters across Georgia's pivotal rural and suburban areas.